Questions for the readings for Epiphany Sunday

Our readings for Epiphany Sunday are:

1. Isaiah 60: 1-6
2. Psalms 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
3. Ephesians 2: 2-3a, 5-6
4. Matthew 2: 1-12

1. Rise up in splendor
• Is there anything in your life that has not been brought "into the light?"
• What do you think would happen if you shared that with someone that you trusted?
• How do you think bringing those dark parts of your past, your nature, into the light brings healing?
• How do you think that bringing those aspects of you to the light make you stronger?
2. Grant wisdom to the king
• How much should we expect of our elected officials?
• Do you think that God wants justice for all people in this world?
• What can we do to help bring that about?
3. Privileged generation
• Oftentimes, as we grow older, we reminisce, and often pine for one aspect or another of our youth.  Do you think that this "generation" is privileged in terms of the things that God is accomplishing in our world today?
• How do you see yourself participating in that ongoing unfolding of God's creation?
• What do you think the next step might be?  Dream big.
• What are you doing to make that dream a reality?
4. King of the Jews
• Has there ever been a time in your life when something that God was doing threatened something that was important to you, or at least you thought was important?
• How did you handle it?
• How might you have handled it better?
• How can you prepare better for the next such occurrence?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Is my life bringing others to God?
2. What am I doing to increase my own wisdom, that I might help others?
3. Am I comfortable sharing the goodness of God with others?
4. How am I preparing the way for God's arrival?

Lead Us to Your Light

Sometimes, the hardest thing to do

Is to tell someone who cares about you

That all is not right,

That your heart has weaknesses

That you have fed because you were afraid,

That if that part of you died,

There would not be anything much else left.

It's not that that other person

Necessarily has insights, wisdom, a solution.

As they have a caring heart,

An attentive ear,

The time to hear you out

Enough love to not judge,

And commitment to stick with you through it all.

I pray that you find that someone

That fellow-journeyer

That can help you find the strength

Within

To be who you were meant to be

And not settle

For anything less.

Shalom